Lawmakers and advisors linked to former President Donald Trump's UFO initiatives are publicly naming private corporations that they allege operate clandestine programs for retrieving crashed alien craft. These efforts aim to compel government contractors to participate in the administration's push for disclosure of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) data.
Avi Loeb, who leads Trump's UAP Science Advisory Council and is a Harvard astrophysicist, stated on Congressman Eric Burlison's podcast "Fresh Freedom" that a former high-level executive from the defense contractor Lockheed Martin claimed the company was involved in such retrieval programs. "It's not wrong," the executive reportedly told Loeb when asked about the claims.
Loeb expressed belief that if extraterrestrial materials exist, analyzing even a small amount could prove the existence of non-human intelligence. He suggested that the current administration's directive to disclose UAP data, provided it doesn't compromise national security, is fostering a more cooperative environment with private companies that were historically reluctant to engage with scientists.
Former members of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program (AATIP) have also made similar claims. Hal Puthoff, an AATIP member, suggested that Lockheed Martin was prepared to transfer retrieved materials to AATIP between 2008 and 2012, but this plan was allegedly halted by the CIA's Directorate of Science and Technology. Luis Elizondo, who formerly ran AATIP, testified before Congress that a craft of unknown origin was reportedly housed in Lockheed Martin labs and was slated for transfer to the Navy's Pax River Facility in Maryland. Elizondo described a specially designed hangar at Pax River, equipped with $10 million in funding, capable of accommodating materials of any classification level.
Congressman Eric Burlison (R-MO) has actively pursued information from private entities. He has sent demands for documents to MIT's Lincoln Laboratory and the MITRE Corporation, and has also identified Northrop Grumman as a potential target due to rumors of its involvement in UFO crash retrieval programs. Burlison indicated that MIT's Lincoln Laboratory and MITRE Corp. appear to be cooperating with his requests. He emphasized the need for major companies doing business with the U.S. to feel comfortable coming forward with information about reverse-engineering non-human technology.
Chris Mellon, former deputy assistant secretary of defense intelligence, stated at a Disclosure Foundation event that significant UAP data is still being withheld by both government agencies and private corporations. Mellon believes crucial information remains classified within entities such as the Air Force, CIA, and the Department of Energy.
Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman did not respond to requests for comment. Burlison has previously visited facilities like Pax River, noting that such sites could explain some of the stories he has heard regarding UAP.